World Mosquito Day is celebrated each year on August 20, to raise awareness of the importance of these small insects in public health and the challenges they represent for humanity. Although they are generally considered as unpleasant parasites, mosquitoes fulfill ecological roles in ecosystems, serving as food for many species and participating in the food chain.
However, their relevance in the transmission of diseases such as malaria, dengue, zika and chikungunya makes it a dangerous enemy for human health. Here, education is essential for communities to adopt measures such as the elimination of argued water farms, the use of insecticides and mosquitoes and the maintenance of hygiene in homes and surroundings.
Tribute to a gentleman on mosquito day
Sir Ronald Ross was born in Almora, a small town in India. Although he specialized in bacteriology, in 1992, he decided to devote himself to the study of malaria. Its main objective was to find ways to prevent the spread of this tropical disease which affects millions of people around the world. To do this, he first had to confirm his hypothesis that the disease was transmitted between people through mosquitoes.
After years of research, he could establish a fact that today is for everyone. He identified the mosquito of the genus anopheles as wearing malaria. And confirmed her theory according to which only the woman stung humans. These discoveries and many other advances in epidemiology and means of protecting against the transmission of malaria made it deserve the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine of 1902. World Mosquito Day was created on August 20 in its honor.
The most dangerous mosquito
Responsible for more than a million dead each year, the mosquito is considered the most dangerous animal on the planet. There are more than 3,500 known species, although only a small fraction feeds on human blood. Two species are particularly dangerous for humans: those of the Anopheles family who transmit malaria or malaria and those of the genus Aedes, responsible for the transmission of several tropical zoonoses.
Individuals of the genus Aedes (Aedes Egypt et Aedes albopictus) They can be responsible for the transmission of dengue, yellow fever, zika and chikungunya. Their eggs are able to survive for months on dry soil. And as soon as they come into contact with water, they hatch. This makes them particularly resistant. Today, they are present on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica.
Mosquitoes and global warming
The increase in temperatures is very positive for mosquitoes. First, it facilitates its spread, because there are more territories adapted to their survival. In addition, the heat shorten its development cycle. In fact, as temperatures exceed 30 ° C, they reproduce in just 6 days.
On the other hand, in temperate places (with less than 25 ° C), this period can be extended up to 3 weeks. Since a mosquito lives only 30 days (since the egg is formed until his death), the longer the incubation is, the less he will have to chop and transmit the zoonotic diseases that carry.
Researchers from around the world work hard to fight against the scourge of mosquitoes. In fact, all possible routes are explored in order to slow down their progress. But global warming and elevation of waters are always the best allies of mosquitoes. If we still do not actively fight to stop climate change, we could lose the battle against these insects.
In summary, World Mosquito Day not only underlines the need to understand and manage these insects, but also the importance of global collaboration to eradicate the diseases transmitted by them. With continuous efforts and awareness, we can reduce the impact of mosquitoes on public health and evolve towards a healthier and safer world for everyone. Ecotics.com